The United States is experiencing a remarkable increase in
the number of people who live to an old age. Our older population (people 65
years or older) numbered nearly 40 million in 2009 (latest year of available
data). These folks represent one in every eight Americans, or 13% of the
population. By 2030, it is projected that the U.S will be home to more than 72
million people age 65 and older.
This astonishing increase is largely a result of medical and
health care advancements that simply allow people to live longer. Currently,
the average life expectancy of an American is about 80 years old (nearly double
that of our ancestors).
Health is Wealth
Living a long life is a goal most of us have in common.
Ensuring that we spend the latter years of our life feeling healthy and happy
should be an important part of that goal.
Health is indeed wealth, especially as we age. Embracing a
healthy lifestyle and making health our number one priority will bring
invaluable wealth to us as we age.
Although growing older is inevitable, there are many things
we can do to avoid feeling older. Medical breakthroughs have and will extend
our longevity, but how we decide to live our senior years will be crucial.
Managing our physical health, maintaining relationships, following safety tips,
and making adequate preparations to fund our retirement and long term care can
help us make the most of our so-called 'golden years.'
Below are suggestions for healthy living that will help each
of us age successfully.
Stay Connected and
Productive
One of the most important things you can do to stay healthy
and happy as you age is to maintain your sense of purpose by staying productive
and connected to people and things that are important to you. Spend quality
time with at least one person (a family member, friend or neighbor) every day.
Seek out those who uplift and challenge you. Avoid secluding yourself.
You can also fill your days rendering service to others who
are not as fortunate as you. Giving time for a cause beyond yourself brings
with it a sense of purpose you can’t achieve anywhere else. Your wealth of
wisdom and experience will continue to grow as you reach out to others.
Activities that can help you remain connected and productive
include: gardening, cooking, knitting, volunteering at a library or hospital,
helping neighbors, visiting museums, traveling, playing cards or games, joining
a senior center, starting a book club, taking a class, attending church, or
learning and using a social media like Facebook.
Finally, challenge yourself mentally. Reading books or
newspapers, doing crossword puzzles, drawing or painting, writing, studying, or
learning to play a musical instrument are effective and fun ways to keep your
mind sharp.
Collect and Write
Family Histories
Those who pursue the gathering and writing of personal and
family histories are always rewarded. As one of the older people in your
extended family, you likely hold memories of people, places, and events that
might be lost forever upon your passing. In this case, you are the family
history. Don’t let it be lost to future generations. Take the time to preserve
your heritage by writing these memories down.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise is a significant part of good health at every age.
Unfortunately, many older adults do not get enough physical activity and
exercise. Staying active can improve vitality, help maintain strength and
flexibility, expand mental function, decrease risk for health problems, and may
even help relieve chronic pain.
Find an activity you enjoy then ease into it at a pace and
consistency your body can handle. Try to include a variety of endurance,
strength, stretching, and balance exercises in your routine. Exercise choices
may include yoga, walking, swimming, biking, gardening, and exercises classes
designed for seniors. The key to successful exercising is variety.
Be sure to talk to your health care provider before
beginning an exercise program.
Prepare Financially
For some, successful aging equates to financial
responsibility, making sure that they have the right Medicare health
plan, long
term care insurance coverage and enough money to cover the costs of health
care in retirement.
As soon as you have a job and a steady income, begin to plan
frugally for retirement and the decades which follow. Planning early will help
you to avoid unnecessary debt and live more comfortably during your final
years. Use caution in cosigning financial notes (even with family members) when
retirement income might be jeopardized. As you near retirement, be even more
cautious about “get-rich” schemes, mortgaging homes, or investing in uncertain
ventures. In all financial aspects, proceed cautiously so that the planning of
a lifetime is not disrupted by one or more poor financial decisions.
The National Care
Planning Council provides lists of eldercare planning services to help the
public prepare for the years following retirement. The list includes care management services,
financial
advisers, elder
attorneys, reverse
mortgage specialists, advocates
for veterans, home
care services, and other types of eldercare providers.
Have a Healthy Diet
and Lifestyle
Don't smoke, eat right, and practice good hygiene. We’ve all
heard these tips before, but we repeat them so often because they are crucial
to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Eating right should include consuming nutrition-packed meals
every day. Extra weight from poor diet choices increases your risk for heart
disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Staying healthy also has the very practical impact of
reducing out-of-pocket health care costs. A healthy person spends far less time
at the pharmacy, the doctor’s office, and even the hospital.
Prevent Injuries from
Falling
Falling is one of the most common causes of injury among
seniors. Simple home
modifications, the use of assistive devices,
wearing sensible footwear, and removing hazards can reduce the risk of falling
and the injuries that come with it.
Visit Your Doctor
Regularly
About 80 percent of seniors are living with a chronic
condition. Many chronic conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, can often
be prevented.
Visit your health care provider regularly and follow their
recommendations for screening and preventative measures. Screenings are
particularly helpful as they serve as an early warning system. Much of the
illness and disability associated with aging can be prevented (or slowed down)
when you have the benefit of early detection. Regular dental, vision and
hearing checkups should also be taken into consideration.
One of the most common conditions affecting older men is
enlargement of the prostate gland, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Among
aging women, a loss of bone density (osteoporosis) is a particular concern.
Many people age 70 and older seek the care of a geriatric physician,
also called a geriatrician. Geriatric physicians are medical doctors who
specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and disability
in older adults.
Summary
Growing older is inevitable, but there are many things we
can do to avoid feeling older. Medical breakthroughs have and will extend our
longevity, but how we decide to live as we age is crucial. Managing our
physical health, maintaining relationships, being productive, taking safety
precautions, visiting our health care providers often, and making adequate
preparations to fund our retirement and long term care can help us make the
most of our senior years.
